The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier spoke with Program Officer Laurel Koester about one of the 20 pharmacies in the country participating in a pilot program to allow community pharmacists to prescribe continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Helmsley is funding the program with the aim of expanding access to CGMs — devices that are considered the standard of care for insulin-requiring diabetes.

Unfortunately, people who want to use a CGM can face many hurdles, including finding a provider who understands CGMs and is comfortable prescribing them. With roughly 90 percent of Americans living within five miles of a pharmacy, pharmacists are well-positioned to be part of a diabetes care team, especially for people who may not otherwise receive specialized support, given the shortage of endocrinologists across the U.S.

Read more about the pilot program in Waterloo at wcfcourier.com.